Is Bandit a Girl? A Closer Look at Gaming‘s Gender-Bending Outlaw
Without a doubt, Bandit is considered a primarily gender-neutral name that can suit both male and female characters equally well. But the masked outlaw holds a special place in the hearts of many female gamers, thanks to breakout roles like Clash Royale‘s dashing rogue and the infamous dragon maid‘s partner-in-crime.
Let‘s dig deeper into gaming‘s most beloved female Bandits and the origins of this edgy, romantic moniker.
The Name Behind the Mask
Most dictionaries define "bandit" as a type of outlaw or thief – an adventurous term for a baby name. The word emerged in the 18th century from Italian "bandito" meaning "banned or exiled". Originally used for highwaymen and outlaws, it became a term for raiders and gangsters.
Despite its dangerous roots, the unisex name Bandit captures the escapist, rebel-without-a-cause appeal central to many game anti-heroes. And game developers seem to agree – Bandit has been the alias of choice for manifold video game leads over the years.
Bandita Bonita: Iconic Female Gaming Bandits
While predominantly a male moniker, Bandit holds a special spot in the hearts of female gamers thanks to iconic heroines like those below:
The Masked Marauder (Clash Royale)
With quick blade and even quicker wit, Clash Royale‘s "Bandit" is ranked one of the game‘s most popular legendary cards and female-presenting characters. As her sly smirk suggests, she stole the hearts of many lady ladder-climbers. And her dashing rapscallion vibe channeled the appeal of the Bandit anti-hero for a new generation.
Clash Royale‘s Bandit (Image credit: Clash Royale Wiki)
Miss Kobayashi‘s Mysterious Marauder
In the anime "Miss Kobayashi‘s Dragon Maid", viewers glimpse the backstory of dragon-in-disguise Tohru through flashbacks to her life in her own world. We meet Tohru‘s partner-in-crime – an unnamed blonde girl thief Tohru calls "Bandit Girl" – with whom she pillages human camps for treasure.
Little is known about this daring dragon‘s mysterious friend. But their deadly dynamic channeled a classic folktale spirit of two feminine outlaws against the world.
Kobayashi‘s Dragon Maid "Bandit Girl" (Image credit: Kobayashi-san Chi no Maid Dragon Wiki)
While most gamers know Bandit as the Agni Kai leader in Avatar World, a new generation is falling for Clash Royale‘s sassy rogue Bandit and the daring Dragon Maid‘s partner-in-crime. For lady looters everywhere, Bandit remains an iconic anti-heroine alias guaranteeing a life of danger and adventure.
Origins of the Name Bandit
While traditionally masculine, baby name sites confirm Bandit as primarily "gender-neutral" in 2024. The moniker is English-speaking in origin and has grown in popularity in recent years.
Etymology and Historical Usage
As covered earlier, "bandit" entered English in the early 18th century from the Italian "bandito" – meaning exiled, banned or outlawed.
Originally used to refer to highwaymen and gangs of raiders, "bandit" grew into common usage for all types of thieves and outlaws. By the 1940s, it was being adopted as a personal nickname meaning "rascal" or "troublemaker".
Modern Gender Usage
Despite its troublemaking roots, Bandit transitioned smoothly into a baby name in the late 20th century.
In the US, Bandit first appeared on the male baby name charts in 1989 and the female charts a year later in 1990. Usage was low but steady into the early 2000s.
The name broke into the US top 1000 for the first time in 2015 and has continued rising since. Bandit ranked #715 for boys and #8796 for girls in 2022, showing over twice as much adoption for male babies versus female.
That said, Bandit fares better as a feminine name in the US than similar historically "male" monikers like Hunter, Gunner or Harley.
So Is Bluey‘s Dad Bandit a Girl?
No doubt the most famous Bandit today is Bluey‘s loveable dad on the Australian children‘s series. Since Bluey‘s premiere in 2018, generations of kids have grown up with Bandit Heeler‘s playful antics.
But despite his name‘s growing feminine usage, Bandit remains a male character in Bluey. Part of his appeal lies in his contrast to traditional dad stereotypes – he‘s extremely involved in home and child-rearing.
Bluey‘s Dad Bandit (Image credit: Bluey Wiki)
So while the name‘s outlaw appeal shines through in this down-under dad, Bluey‘s Bandit remains a boy…dog.
Let the Gender Bending Commence!
While historically masculine, Bandit joins edgy monikers like Hunter and Gunner as a girl‘s name rising fast on modern baby name charts.
No doubt some of Bandit‘s newfound feminine appeal comes from breakout heroines like Clash Royale‘s larcenous loner. Or we can thank fantasy series for Champions like Avatar World’s formidable Bandit Queen.
Regardless, the gender lines around this roguish title are blurring. In 2023, Bandit is just as fitting for video gaming‘s baddest outlaws as the boldest anti-princesses.
We expect this identity-masking alias to climb baby name charts on both sides of the gender divide for years to come!
